Nutrition Sciences at Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Colorado State's Nutrition Sciences program delivers better-than-average national outcomes but lags behind the state's other options. While graduates earn $32,785 in their first year—outpacing the national median of $30,508—they fall short of what students earn at both University of Northern Colorado ($39,258) and Metropolitan State University ($37,213). With only three programs in Colorado, this 40th percentile state ranking is particularly revealing: CSU sits firmly at the bottom among in-state alternatives.

The financial fundamentals are reasonable. A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75 means graduates face about nine months of income in student loans—manageable territory that shouldn't derail other life goals. The $24,750 debt load aligns closely with both state and national medians for nutrition programs, so students aren't taking on outsized risk. The program's 90% admission rate and relatively low Pell grant enrollment (19%) suggest a different student profile than more selective nutrition programs.

For Colorado families, this creates a straightforward decision point: CSU charges similar debt for notably lower earnings than the state's other nutrition programs. If your child is admitted to UNC or Metro State, those appear to be stronger financial bets. If CSU is the only option or offers compelling non-financial advantages, the debt load remains reasonable enough that it won't trap graduates—they're just accepting $4,000-6,000 less in first-year earnings than peers elsewhere in Colorado.